The Learning Curve #22

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The Learning Curve

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Posted by Pamela Sunday, January 22, 2012 7:36:00 PM

The learning CurveWe woke up this morning in a clear and cold morning. Early in the morning on the farm is quiet, the horses quietly stand around waiting for the round-up to have breakfast. Breakfast time at Blue Star is one of my favorite times. You check in with the horses, serve them breakfast, give them their particular attending too...depending on the horse.

Every horse has their own personality, individuality, and real ability to communicate what they need. Those of us that live on the farm are humbled everyday by just how intelligent and engaged they are with us and their environment. They have good days and bad days. Some of them are in pain, each deals with it differently. Some are young, some are very old, some are handicapped by different syndromes familiar to their kind. We have a lot of drafts, a couple of throughbreds, an applaloosa, a mini, a baby Morgan, a young untrained Shire, two former scared and scattered Percherons now brave and bold and beautiful. We are always full at Blue Star....the 3 spots that just opened were immediately filled with more mares in need. More horses to love and know and care for. 

We learn from all of them. We are trying to get better at describing just what they can do for us, at what they have already done for those of us caring for them now..on and off the farm. 

Today we had a special guest that has made it a mission in her life to help horses and humans restore their bond. Their rightful, respectful, trusting, loving relationship with each other. With her experience and lifetime of observation and determination she has found a way to describe the very magical and mysterious knowing that is born when we enter into a honest and sincere relationship with a horse. She even has charts!

 

Nicole Birkholzer creator of Mindful-Connections did a workshop at BSE today on recovering the spirit of the horse. Taking a different, more sensitive approach at understanding and working with horses. I think Nicole is amazing. Not because she is my friend, but because she is one of the most dynamic, open, loving and compassionate people I have ever met.  Her husband is very much like her, open and wonderful and very much in love with the horses in his life, and great respect for those that are not. 

We filmed her workshop and have decided to break it into 5 installments. It is all wonderful information, articulated beautifully. I find it very hard to describe the "unseen" spiritual relationship I have with the horses. She has a whole language for it. 

This gives us a whole week of very deep things to think about. Nicole will be holding another workshop on Feb. 5. It is filling up so get your space now if you are interested. 

Nicole' s website...http://www.mindful-connections.com/

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re: The Learning Curve #22

Tuesday, January 24, 2012 6:46:33 PM Nicole Birkholzer

Here is what's so beautiful about the experience the participant had with Buford ...he liked her for the treats because he only knew her through treats. When she offered him something else, her presence, Buford gladly received that and even gave something back.
We could say: a treat lasts until it is chewed up, a moment of connection can last a lifetime.

re: The Learning Curve #22

Tuesday, January 24, 2012 9:56:59 AM Amy Shumway

Really great about the experience with Buford- it says it all in a nutshell- this is exactly the awareness that Nicole's workshop brings- I am always reminded that all I have to do is put my request/desire/question into words - either verbally or mentally- and my horse, any horse will always respond- especially and depending on the level of relationship I already have with them. Thanks for sharing that about Buford- I dont know him well, but now I know him a little bit better because of what you experienced and shared. I look forward to these kinds of shared experiences being talked about more in the world of horses as Nicole spreads her work and this kind of work becomes part of the collective equestrian culture experience/considered the norm.In fact I saw Nicole recently helping a client tack up her horse and the horse was making it difficult for the owne to put his bridle over his ears- the owner was so used to this struggle she just continued in the pattern of struggling- Nicole interjected a small suggestion, she said "Why dont you ask him to help you get his bridle on? Ask him to move his head down so its not so hard for you to reach his ears?" Well, wasnt THAT a lightbulb moment? And a bit humbling for the owner when she did and got immediate cooperation from her horse?! Makes you wonder if these guys are doing these things purposely in order to get more partnership with us, inviting us to invite them to be partners every step of the way!

re: The Learning Curve #22

Monday, January 23, 2012 5:23:05 PM Nicole Birkholzer

Dear Unknown person :-)

I saw you standing near Buford's stall, but since I had to keep my attention forward, I had no idea that there was a mindful connection happening right behind me. Thank you for sharing it here on the LC. It is so incredible how much we can perceive when we get still. In mind and body. And when we do ... the horse can reach out and into us.
Thank you Blue Star for hosting me, and thank you all for coming and connecting. 
And remember ... each connections counts.

Until soon, Nicole

 

 

re: The Learning Curve #22

Monday, January 23, 2012 4:39:09 PM unknown

I attended this session and it was just amazing.  I had shared my story on Pam's FB but wanted to share it here as well.

During the last 20 minutes or so of the Mindful Connection session (1/22/12)I had to get up and move my frozen feet and toes. I was leaning on the stable door Buford was in. Buford usually ignores me unless I have treats. I've tried before to pet, scratch him or give him a kiss and he pulls away.

So today I followed Nicole's suggestions on communication and making a connection with a horses, so I just stood there; after about 10 minutes he came over to me and sniffed my camera, jacket, head, gloves, and then nuzzled me. I just stood there gently talking to him and standing still and no touching him. He stood there with me sniffing every once in a while. Someone else came over and he went to visit with them and came back when he was done.

Then I did something else I would have never thought of doing before this session: I asked him if I could give him a kiss. He moved his head closer to me and I gently gave him a kiss, and he stayed there with me. As I said earlier, Buford has never paid me any mind and was only interested if I had treats. Today when I let him lead the way I was rewarded with a small, short connection to him that I'll have as long as I live.

re: The Learning Curve #22

Monday, January 23, 2012 9:27:46 AM Nancy

Can't wait for part 2!

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